The Vestry has met twice since my last email: our regular meeting in January, and a brief gathering after our Annual Meeting to elect Officers and Chairs of Sub-Committees.

 

In our regular meeting, we focused on year-end financials for 2017. Thanks to the generous year-end giving of many parishioners, we exceeded our pledge and giving goal of $2 million by $85,000. All expenses are not yet tabulated so the bottom line is not yet known; we expect to close the books for the year either breaking even or with a modest surplus.

 

In our January meeting, Gary Sullivan, Junior Warden and Chair of Building and Grounds Sub-Committee, presented a plan for replacing one of two electrical feeds for our air conditioning system, a major project.  We have been operating at half capacity this winter but need to be back at full capacity before the weather turns hot again this spring.  The Vestry approved a "not to exceed" budget for this project, funded out of the Capital Reserves fund, so that it can commence immediately.

 

Also, in the January meeting, in Executive Session, the Vestry discussed the results of a recent compensation survey to determine if Father James's compensation is in line with his peers at comparable churches. The last time this discipline was practiced was four or five years ago.  We were able to get some detailed data from comparable churches which indicated that Father James's current compensation is significantly below the average. Accordingly, we approved a modest salary increase for 2018, which fits within the approved budget.  We expect a second modest increase to be implemented for the 2019 budget which will bring Father James's compensation into the appropriate range.

 

The Vestry also discussed priorities for 2018, and we all agreed that we must all be leaders in our 2018 priority to develop an approach to "spread Christ's teachings" more effectively in direct support of Bethesda's mission.  Whether you realize it or not, this conversation about evangelism has already started at Bethesda with the Adult Forum led by The Reverend Scott Gunn, Executive Director of Forward Movement, in December. You may also be surprised to learn that Canon Elizabeth Geitz, who has joined Bethesda's team this season as non-stipendiary clergy, is an expert on the topic and has authored a book titled "Fireweed Evangelism." The Evangelism and Communications Committee, led by Becky Myers, along with Father James and the Vestry, will be leading the congregation in conversation this year on what evangelism means for Bethesda and its members, and how we all can be involved in spreading Christ's love.

 

At our Annual Meeting this Sunday, outgoing Vestry members Barbara Callahan, Frances Fisher, David Paulson, Sandra Stern, Gary Sullivan, and Chuck Zettler, were recognized for their service to Bethesda, and new Vestry members Raphael Clemente, Chuck Hagy, Connie Purcell, and Wendy Victor, were welcomed. Immediately afterwards, at our organizational Vestry meeting, the Rector appointed me to continue to serve as Senior Warden (and thereby chair of the Leadership and Governance Subcommittee), and the Vestry elected the following leadership slate:

Junior Warden and Chair of Building and Grounds Sub-Committee: Connie Purcell

Chair of Finance Sub-Committee: Peggy Johnson

Chair of Audit Sub-Committee: Charles McGill

Clerk: Michelle Diffenderfer

Executive Committee Member at Large: Jodie Payne

Chancellor: Bob Diffenderfer (non-Vestry)

Treasurer: Zach Shipley (non-Vestry).

Please keep these leaders, and those who serve God in this congregation, in your prayers that their service may bring all of us into greater unity with each other and with God.

 

Yours in Christ,

Beth Cole

This week's menu: fried chicken drum sticks, mac-n-cheese, coleslaw, sauteed vegetables, garden salad, strawberry shortcake with biscuits, strawberries, and whipped cream.   Kindly RSVP here   or call Ayana at (561) 655-4554. 

*In order to properly plan and prepare the supper, we need your reservations by noon on Monday.

Hymns? Motets? Chants? No Alleluias?!?! Join Hal Pysher, Associate for Music and Liturgy, this evening for an exploration of the music we will sing and hear during Lent, the liturgical season that begins next week. If you've ever wondered what goes into planning the magnificent and moving music on Sunday mornings and holy days at Bethesda, this is your opportunity to learn about that process and study the music for the season ahead.

For all children in Kindergarten through 5th Grade who are interested in learning more about what we do on Sunday mornings in our worship services, the Wednesday Liturgy Class will teach them more about what we do and why. Over the course of the year we will explore elements of the Holy Eucharist more in-depth with our young people and also train them to become worship leaders for Sunday services. Topics will include communion, acolyting, music, the liturgical calendar, and saints. If you've ever wanted a class to teach your child about what we do in worship, don't miss this wonderful opportunity.

The Bethesda Youth Group will move from our traditional Thursday night meetings to Wednesday nights to join our Middle Way ministries. Come for dinner at 5:45 p.m. and stay for Youth Group until 7:40 p.m. The Bethesda Youth Group is a fellowship group open to all those in 6th through 12th grade. Members also participate in monthly special events including our annual lock-in, service day, and camping trip to Peanut Island.